We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about traveling on Thameslink amid all the planned engineering works and industrial action this month.
There will be a number of alterations to services from Monday, July 17 until Saturday, July 22 as a result of a nationwide ban on overtime in place by the ASLEF union.
Services are set to start later and finish earlier, with some stations not being served on certain days.
Further national strike action by the RMT union is also set to take place on Thursday, July 20, Saturday, July 22 and Saturday, July 29, affecting Thameslink services.
For people travelling by tube, there is also separate industrial action taking place on the London Underground between Sunday, July 23 and Friday, July 28.
Customers are being advised to plan ahead and to check journeys before travelling between July 17 and July 30 during the days of planned industrial action.
Stations are anticipated to be busier during these days, with some customers potentially having to queue or not being able to board a train altogether.
Planned engineering work is also set to take place affecting travel on certain dates in July, with planned works set to take place this weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Saturday, July 15
On Saturday, July 15 buses are set to replace trains between Dartford and Gravesend, along with a reduced service via Bexleyheath.
Planned engineering work is taking place between Dartford and Norfleet closing all lines.
There will also be no Thameslink services running between Dartford and Gravesend.
Amended services will be running between Luton and Dartford, and between Gravesend and Rainham.
Tickets can be used on Southeastern buses between Dartford and Gravesend.
There will also be a small number of Thameslink replacement buses to replace early morning and late night services between Dartford and Gravesend / Gillingham.
Additionally on this day there will be no Thameslink services running between Herne Hill and Sutton / Wimbledon affecting routes between Bedford / Luton / St Albans and Wimbledon / Sutton.
No Thameslink trains will be running between Herne Hill and Sutton / Wimbledon.
Tickets can be used with London Trams between Wimbledon and East Croydon, London Underground between Kings Cross / St Pancras and Morden, and London Buses between Blackfriars and Streatham / Sutton.
Sunday, July 16
Engineering works between Dartford and Gravesend continue along with reduced services via Bexleyheath, affecting routes between Kentish Town and Rainham.
No Thameslink services will be running between Dartford and Gravesend, and an amended service will run between Luton and Dartford, and between Gravesend and Rainham.
Engineering works between Herne Hill and Sutton / Wimbledon will continue, affecting routes between Bedford / Luton / St Albans and Wimbledon / Sutton A similar service will be in operation as Saturday, along with the 8:30am and 9am services from London Bridge to Sutton not running.
Engineering work will also be taking place between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, closing all lines.
Buses are set to replace trains between Orpington and Sevenoaks / Tonbridge on this day, affecting routes between London Victoria and Sevenoaks Trains between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks will instead run between London Blackfriars and Orpington only, additionally calling at Petts Wood.
A replacement bus will run between Otford and Sevenoaks, calling at Bat & Ball only.
Customers can use tickets on Southeastern services to and from St Mary Cray, Swanley, Eynsford, Shoreham and Otford for connections to and from Sevenoaks.
Monday, July 17 – Wednesday, July 19
From July 17 until July 19 there will be an amended timetable to assist customers with their journeys on the day, with less short notice alterations.
Customers are being advised to allow extra time for their travel, with services likely to be busier than usual and queues during peak times.
Buses will replace some late night and early morning trains between Kentish Town, Dartford and Gillingham and Rainham.
Engineering work will also take place between Dartford and Gillingham / Rainham, closing all lines overnight from July 17-July 21.
There will be no early morning services to and from Sutton running due to engineering work.
Engineering work in the Tulse Hill area will also close certain lines on early mornings between July 18-July 21.
Between 12:25am and 5:35am each morning, Thameslink trains will not run between Elephant & Castle / Herne Hill and Sutton.
Thameslink customers can use tickets on London Buses to complete their journey.
Thursday, July 20
On Thursday, July 20 Thameslink services will start later and finish earlier than normal, with some stations not being served at all.
Customers are advised to check their routes before they travel on this day.
Buses will replace some late night and early morning trains between Kentish Town, Dartford and Gillingham and Rainham.
Services between Dartford and Gillingham / Rainham will be closed overnight due to engineering works.
There will be no early morning services to and from Sutton and certain lines around the Tulse Hill area will close in the early morning due to engineering work.
Between 12:25am and 5:35am each morning, Thameslink trains will not run between Elephant & Castle / Herne Hill and Sutton.
Thameslink customers can use tickets on London Buses to complete their journeys.
Friday, July 21
On Friday, July 21 Thameslink services will start later due to the impact from the previous strike day.
There will be an amended timetable on the day with less short notice alterations.
Customers are being advised to allow for extra time during their journeys, with stations expected to be busier than usual.
Buses will replace some late night and early morning trains between Kentish Town, Dartford and Gillingham and Rainham.
Services between Dartford and Gillingham / Rainham will be closed overnight due to engineering works.
There will be no early morning services to and from Sutton, and certain lines around the Tulse Hill area will close in the early morning due to engineering work.
Between 12:25am and 5:35am each morning, Thameslink trains will not run between Elephant & Castle / Herne Hill and Sutton.
Customers can use tickets on London Buses to complete their journeys.
Saturday, July 22
Thameslink services will start later and finish earlier than usual.
Customers are being advised to check before they travel and plan ahead on the day.
Sunday, July 23
On Sunday, July 23 there will be a late start to services following the RMT strike, with the timetable returning to a normal Sunday service.
Saturday, July 29
On Saturday, July 29 there will be an amended timetable with fewer Thameslink services.
Services on the day will start later and finish earlier than usual.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and to check before they travel on the day.
Sunday, July 30
On Sunday, July 30, there will be a late start to services following the RMT strike, with the timetable returning to a normal Sunday service.
Chris Fowler, Head of Network Operations for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We’re really sorry about the impact that this round of industrial action will have on our customers, especially as many will be looking to start their summer holidays.
“Where possible, we’re running as many trains as we can, but unfortunately there will be some days and times where people will be left without a service.
“It’s incredibly important that people check every journey they plan to make before they travel and leave plenty of time, as our services will be much busier during this period.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here